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Auction: 18001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 275

(x) An interesting Second Afghan War and Egypt operations group of four awarded to Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Frederick 'Freddie' FitzGerald, King's Royal Rifle Corps

Other than his distinguished part in the pursuit of assorted tribesmen in Afghanistan and Egypt, 'Freddie' displayed 'an excessive fondness' for the female servants employed on his family estate in Co. Kildare: it was a weakness shared by another old Egypt hand - Valentine Baker of the 10th Hussars - who ended up in court for employing 'light cavalry tactics' on an attractive young lady in his London-bound railway carriage

The scion of the 'dysfunctional' Dukes of Leinster, 'Freddie' faced multiple challenges during the 'Land War' and Irish Troubles, but evidence suggests he was a gentleman who commanded some degree of respect: when a gang of armed terrorists paid him visit in 1922 they were persuaded to depart the scene without torching the family seat

Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Ahmed Khel, Kandahar (Lieut. Lord F. FitzGerald, 2-60 Foot); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (Lieut. Lord F. FitzGerald, 2nd Battalion, 60th Rifles); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Tel-el-Kebir, The Nile 1884-85 (Lieut. Lord F. FitzGerald, 3-K.R.R.C.); Khedive's Star 1882, all official replacements, extremely fine (4)


Frederick 'Freddie' FitzGerald was born at Kilkea Castle, Kildare, Ireland on 18 January 1857, the third son of the 4th Duke of Leinster.

You are free to enjoy the castle today:

'Prepare to feel like royalty when you enter the grounds of one of the oldest inhabited castles in Ireland. With a history dating back to 1180, Kilkea Castle captures the mystical charm of a 12th Century majestic castle with the overwhelming allure of timeless sophistication and style. After a major renovation that redefines luxury, Kilkea Castle is delighted to welcome you.

Only an hour's drive from Dublin, once the medieval stronghold of the Fitzgerald's, Earls of Kildare, the castle was built by Hugh de Lacy for one of Strongbow's Norman Noblemen, Walter de Riddlesford. Today it stands proudly ready to extend a warm Irish welcome to guests from around the globe.

Located in Castledermot and set on 180 acres of its own wonderful woodland, gardens and golf course, Kilkea Castle enchants from the moment you drive down the beech-lined avenue overlooking the Killeshin Hills, only minutes from the ancient Mullaghreelan Woods.'

Soldier

Young 'Freddie' was educated at Eton and the R.M.C. Sandhurst and was commissioned in the 60th Foot in January 1876.

Having then been advanced to Lieutenant and appointed Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, he witnessed active service in the Second Afghan War 1878-80, when he was present at Ahmed Khel and on the march from Kabul to Kandahar, in addition to the Marri expedition (Medal & 2 clasps; Star).

FitzGerald next served with the Natal Field Force in the First Anglo-Boer War in 1881 and in the operations in Egypt in 1882, including the action at Kassassin and battle of Tel-el-Kebir (Medal & clasp; Khedive's Star). Having then been appointed A.D.C. to Sir Redvers Buller, he served in the Nile Expedition in 1884-85 (clasp), and was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 25 August 1885, refers) and given the Brevet of Major.

Subsequently placed on the Retired List, he became Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel of the 8th (Militia) Battalion, K.R.R.C. in April 1897, in which capacity he served until early 1902.

Dublin uprising 1916

During the Great War, he served as A.D.C. to the O.C. Forces in Ireland at H.Q. Parkgate, Dublin.

As such, he must have been at the centre of events during the famous uprising of 1916: on 29 April Commandant Pearse was taken before General Maxwell at Parkgate and signed a General Order of Surrender:

'In order to prevent further slaughter of the civil population and in the hope of saving the lives of our followers, the members of the Provisional Government present at Headquarters have decided on an unconditional surrender, and Commandants or Officers commanding districts will order their commands to lay down arms.'

Pádraig Pearse was executed by firing squad at Kilmainham Goal a few days later.

Land owner

Military service aside, FitzGerald was otherwise occupied in running his estate at Carton House, Maynooth, Kildare.

A glimpse of this chapter of his life is to be found in a book review - by Danial Murray - of Aspects of Irish Aristocratic Life: Essays on the FitzGeralds and Carton House:

'After five years serving in the British army in India, Afghanistan and South Africa, Frederick came into his Kildare estates at an awkward time … The Land War was under way, though Nelson [the author] argues against the usual depiction of the landlord-tenant relationship breaking down in light of the local enthusiasm received by Frederick upon his return from abroad and at the marriage of his sister. Frederick was able to negotiate with his tenants in a satisfactory manner so that Kildare avoided the worst virulence of the Land War.

This ability to maintain local support continued when he was elected to the Country Council in 1899 at a time when landlords were increasingly depicted as colonial oppressors … Frederick remained on the council for the next twenty-one years, winning each election that came his way until 1920, when he stepped down from any further role in politics. As a sign of the times, his replacement was Daniel Buckley, a Maynooth shopkeeper who went by Domhnall Ua Buachalla and represented Sinn Féin.

While short on personal detail about Frederick FitzGerald - other than an excessive fondness for his female servants leading to a high staff turnover rate - Nelson handles what is usually a dry topic in a clear, detailed and engaging way.'

FitzGerald, who was a Justice of the Peace and a Commissioner of National Education in Ireland, died at Carton House in March 1924, aged 67; in common with Kilkea Castle, Carton House is today open to exploration, being a luxury spa hotel and golf resort.

Recommended reading:

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/the-fitzgeralds-of-carton-house-a-deeply-dysfunctional-family-the-decline-and-fall-of-the-dukes-of-leinster-1.1837003



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Sold for
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